Blogs

Yesterday, coach Ken Whisenhunt said he wasn’t going to “macro-analyze” the quarterback situation on a daily basis and that the Cards would let everyone know who the starting QB will be when a decision is finally made. But this morning, ESPN’s Adam Schefter is saying “people inside the organization” consider John Skelton the favorite to win the job. I’m guessing Whisenhunt will be asked about it at lunch.

Even if true, a favorite does not signify a winner of the competition, and Kevin Kolb is going to get the start (and my guess, a lot of playing time) Friday against the Raiders. Before this latest Skelton report broke, Kolb talked about where he is and how he deals with the constant scrutiny this competition has brought.

“For me, it’s making me a better player,” Kolb said. “I don’t get caught up in a day-to-day, ‘How did John do, how did I do?’ ”

One of Kolb’s issues, of course, is staying in the pocket and not scrambling too early. He knows that. “It’s always a constant battle as far as trusting it and standing in long enough to make that throw,” Kolb said. “We just keep analyzing that fine line and get as close to it as possible.”

Kolb said he had one play against the Chiefs where “I definitely got out early.” There was another play where Kolb had to scramble, but Whisenhunt said that was when rookie receiver LaRon Byrd ran the wrong route and put Kolb in a bad place on the play.

“That’s one of the areas we are working on, stepping up in the pocket, staying with your reads,” Whisenhunt said. “That’s an area he’s made improvement on, I’ve seen it. It’s just got to translate to the games. Some of it is not his fault. We’re working on the offensive line. But you know what, you think pressure on the quarterback is automatically offensive line but there are tight ends and backs that didn’t do the job in the game. They are all accountable.”

The battle is coming to an end, of course. Whisenhunt hasn’t said as much, but there seems like there would be a lot riding on Kolb’s Oakland performance. But I remember covering former Coyotes coach Jim Schoenfeld in 1998-99, a year that started great and fizzled, responding to a report he would be fired if the team lost a particular game. Schoenfeld felt like, if he had done poor enough to be fired, there’s no way the result of one game could make a difference.

Kolb seems to understand the big picture too. “We’ve had a lot of time to audition,” he said.

“The thing is, the end is the beginning, right?” Kolb added. “Whoever is named the starter, you strap up and get ready for 16 games.”

this whole qb “battle” is playing out like a presidental election. neither “canidate” has distinguished themselves, blah, blah, blah. whiz, make a freaking decision and live with it. can’t wait for this crap to be over and the season to begin.

As fragile as Kolb has proven, Skelton will get the majority of the QB snaps during the season no matter how the QB battle plays out and won’t be looking back. The team can grow with a strong, smart and durable QB that can stay on the field.

A lot of people are talking up Lindley but what about the lost man. Why not give Bartel a shot with the ones and see how it goes. It couldn’t hurt at this point. He holds the ball a little too long but that is because he actually stays in the pocket and keeps his eyes down field. Maybe he wouldn’t need to hold the ball so long with the starting WR’s. You could make the case that’s he’s more accurate than Skelton also. All bets are off now. Sometimes the answer can be right in front of you.

That first scrimmage against the Saints didn’t matter. Although coach has said the “Starters” will play a lot in this next game, they will also play the most next pre-season game. Whiz has set it up perfectly to have the real QB play in the second to last pre-season game where traditionally the starters play the most. Keven Kolb better forget he is Kevin Kolb and have the game of his life or he will be pulling splinters out of his butt for the rest of his Cardinal career.

Kolb’s going to get to face Leinart …wow…that will be interesting considering Leinart was the positive force in last night’s game against the Cowboys. The Raider’s lost but not before DT, Tommy Kelly sacked Romo so hard it could be felt in Dalllas…I’m thinking Kolb couldn’t have taken that hit. ! The Dallas O-Line actually made ours look almost good! If Whisenhunt is determined to keep Kolb as our starter then Kolb should be asked to rework his contract based on performance. This would allow the signing of O-line players as they are cut by other teams needing to make 53.

Darren,
I really hope that after this weekends game against Oakland we can at least name a guy. It certainly won’t be the end all, but we need a guy to be determined so the whole TEAM can move forward. We are wasting so much energy on this qb issue that the group as a whole is suffering. How can the team get sharper when they are constantly hearing different cadences and tempos??

Good Morning Darren and all of my constituent fans, Let’s see, Quarterbacks. Does that mean a fullback is a dollarback? Oh yeh, the guy that touches the big buys butt and throws the ball to the other guy, hopefully one of our guys.

Kolb has not outplayed any of the other three QBs, period. Skelton and Bartel have the most time in this offensive system of the three remaining tough guys.

That means that the QB that has scored the most points and covered the most ground whether running or throwing is the Rookie I like so much. Sorry Darren, but I think Lindley makes faster and maybe better reads than John. His passes are as accurate as John’s and he gets rid of the ball faster. I think I remember that he threw the ball away instead of trying to force it into tight coverage during our KC game. I think that was an improvement over the Saints game. Run the numbers. Run the numbers against the snaps each has had and then tell me the rookie isn’t our best QB so far. Yeh, and we better hang onto Byrd too. Good kid and maybe a better athlete than our top pick? So far at least. One thing is for sure. Byrd can “take a licken and keep on ticken”. He played through the hit that hurt his shoulder.

Where is Elders? He still deserves honorable mention too. Kid likes to hit.

The problem with Skelton (even as he has guts in the clutch) is he is not very good … late getting ball out, slow to progress thru receivers, inaccurate. So, Whiz must give Kolb every chance to get over heebie geebies in the pocket and win the job. If he doesn’t, might be long season and might see the 3rd guy before its over… imho.. fwiw… no offense to anyone and my apologies to the queen.

PS: IF defense is really good, Red just might get better too, on the job…

For the first time in Coach Whiz’s history here in AZ, I am starting to doubt him.
I know finding a franchise QB takes time and is difficult.
Derek Anderson
Max Hall
Kevin Kolb
All were Coach Whiz’s choices…
I am also starting to question Coach Grimm.
I know second guessing is easy, but I think they should have kept L. Brown at Right Tackle and drafted a true Left Tackle this year. Adam Synder is a nice guy, but I think he was not a good FA pickup and youth is needed there.
I think Coach Whiz needs to change his Offense to his players strengths. We don’t have a QB right now that can run the spread Offense. The offensive line right now is better at run blocking than pass blocking–let’s use our fullback and both Rb’s and go to a power run game. That would take the pressure off Skelton or Lindley–whoever maybe our QB future.

Darren,
The content of the article is almost laughable. The Cards are spending valuable time teaching a $67M QB how to step up in the pocket. If it was about Lindley, the article would make sense. This backtracking by Whiz makes him look so foolish. It’s also time to ditch Horton and the 3-4 defense.

I hate to say it but Whiz needs to learn to make decisions early. he has killed this team with his qb controversies, and his line decisions his leaving lutui as 2nd string right up until the season a few years ago etc etc. this goes back to warner lienart.. It isn’t impossible to make a change during the season. just make a pick give them every chance to succeed and save the who is going to play games for the number 4 and 5 receivers. the team will be better for it.

darren
Is this QB battle something that we should be worried about right now?
I really had high hopes for this team with all the weapons they have. In your
opinion is this battle going to hold this team back?

Other than Skeltons stupid INT on his last play he looked way better than Kolb in the KC game, The running game is what killed big johns plays Alfonso Smith will always be a pup player if he is gonna play the way he did 3 and 1 sherman infront of em to make a hole the line and sherman all shift to the right and Smith goes left loses 3 yards lame sauce. We need Beanie and Ryan to really produce and stay HEALTHY we need those 2 guys in a bad way.

Skelton has no accuracy and is not consistent. Kolb on the other hand has not had a REALLY REALLY bad game like skelton has. Like the first 49ers game…
People are giving skelton to much credit, they are glorifing him. He is not that good, NEITHER IS KOLB. But kolb has a better up side IF he EVER gets it together

Everyone agrees they shouldnt have given that amount of money to an unproven qb.
If you look at all the stats between the two last season Kolb has beaten Skelton in almost every catagory. Keeping that in mind he was also the starte and the more DIFFICULT games early in the season. Skelton played rather easier games later in season, with a D that was in place.

Then there is his record of the last games of 2011, the problem is skelton didnt win those games. look at his stats at those games won, they were horrible. The defense and special teams are the reason those games were won. And with an awful O-line like that no QB can do any good.

Too many cards fans are glorifing skelton, making him sound like an elite quarterback when it’s not. Skelton has no experience and you can see that when he plays, when he is in trouble he just throws it to fitz. That will get fitz hurt one day. Leinart did that and he got cut.

People refuse to see it because they hate Kolb so much for some reason, but Kolbs throws are much more accurate and have more velocity than Skeltons and Kolb has the ability to recognize Pressure. Then again his downside is his Health and his Happy feet.

The Point is, They need to fix the O-line to even see both of these QB’s perform. Then there is a FACT that this is getting awkward and is getting more about the QB that ****** less

Kolb was a necessary evil to ensure Fitz signed his long term extension. Skelton and Hall weren’t gonna get him feeling comfortable long term. That said, from last year and this preseason Kolb looks to have no upside. He could maybe be a serviceable starting QB, maybe. Skelton looks to be making progress game to game and year to year and Lindley looks to have potential we need to develop.

Someone posted this on bleacher report, I loved it so much I had to share…..

How the Eagles continue to fleece the rest of the league with their inferior back-up QBs is beyond me. Maybe they sit at HQ practicing some Tony Robbins mind meld- on everyone.

You will love this guy. He is the next Kurt Warner. He is the next Joe Montana.

Why is he on our bench, you ask? Well, we have so much talent at the position- freaking Dan Marino would be on the bench here.

So you are concerned about his mediocre performances and tendency to be injured? Do not worry my good man. These are all anomalies.

His Zen Master ways will shine through, and it is only through the goodness of our hearts that we are willing to part with him. And because of how wonderful you have been towards us in the past- we are willing to cut a deal – just for you.

You should give us an offer. You should give us a top 10 corner back. But after thinking about this- I am afraid we would look like bumbling fools around the league. So, although it pains me to ask, we must request that you also give us a top 50 draft pick.

Of course, this is but a pittance to pay for the coming of dynastic leadership and performance you shall soon be witnessing. In fact, I am beginning to second guess our decision. Maybe we should keep him? What you say, but we made a deal? We made a promise? Oh, ok. It is done, I only hope we can persevere after such a magnanimous act of charity.
Hilarious and also somewhat true-

Im so sick of kolb some how wiz hasn’t figured out that kolbs only getting worse I dont think it’s kolbs fault he can’t play behind are crapy line he’s to weak . We need to play John bc he can take the damage . We’re just going to end up breaking kolb for good and ending is football career for good

That wasn’t Stupid. When in Doubt throw it to Larry because you at least give your team a chance. If it is picked on 3rd down then its a long or short Punt. Kolb uses Larry like a freaking decoy and everyone knows it because he is not that smart. He learned and held the clipboard behind a guy for years that didn’t even know the overtime rules. Kolb came to AZ and couldn’t grasp the concept of a 3, 5 or 7 step drop and the changes associated with that in 15 seconds. Forget about reading the defense. Kolb has said himself it was more complicated then he was used to. What he was used to is telling a receiver to run as fast as he can and he would throw it as far as he could. Its over. Kolb is done if Kolb doesn’t deliver in the first two series of the Raider game. Whiz is smart, he couldn’t care less what fans or management thinks of him waiting to name the starter.

Darren,
Just look at all these comments above. Skelton is bad, Kolb sucks, Skelton cant do this, Kolb cant do that.

Some are even grasping at straws, asking to bypass these two and put in Bartel or Lindley.

If I remember right, there was someone who said we had no QB and we should trade up to land our QB. It was said to offer this years and next years 1st to go up and get Tannehill. Although we cant be sure that would have been taken, it was likely.

Yet, the same people above said, ” no, we don’t need to waste a pick on a QB early. Take Decastro, Take Floyd”

And here we are, 3 weeks into preseason having the same argument before the draft about the QBs. A first round wr who has 2 catches so far, and a full fledged QB controversy with no end in sight. Let’s face it, who ever Whiz goes with, the first bad game, everyone will be yelling for the other guy.

Meanwhile, teams like Tennessee, Washington and Miami, Carolina and Indy, all have their young QBs for the next 15 years.

Suspense716? DRC a Top ten Corner? What a joke. Did you see what that Idiot did to Byron Leftwich this last game? He is as dumb as his cousin over in Jets land. He thinks launching his shoulder into the head was a clean play. Glad he is gone.

good thing im not the coach because i would send the df in a all blits every play in practice untill Kolb gets it right.play after play after play!!!then i would make Kolb write every day 1000 times i will not leave the pocket. and i will not let down my team and its fans.lol

My wife knows Kolb has sucked so far. She asks why he always runs to the right. I tell her that’s where he keeps his bank account information.

Totally sick of this QB fiasco. I believe that Skelton has shown more leadership, and that the team believes in him. I hope Kolb goes 10 for 10 with 3 TDs Friday night, and Batiste delivers some pancakes. With the # we’ve spent, we need for Kolb to play like he’s worth it.

My wife also wants to know why we don’t just cut him. I explained the money has already be spent, and he could be a good QB if he acts like a leader and stays in the pocket. One of our guys should tackle him if he rolls to the right Friday night.

There’s nothing to discuss. John Skelton is our quarterback. He will prove it to you all. The problem is, and has always been, our lack of protection for the QB. If we continuously get sacked, start finding others to blame. Not the QB!!

You raise fair points. But let’s hold up before we say Locker, RGIII, Tannehill and Luck are locks. Newton looks that way, I will give you that. The rest? Lemme see it first. Fifteen years is a long time.

hummer53,
“Why not give Bartel a shot with the ones and see how it goes.”
I’m with you on that, R. Bartel deserves a shot before the new guy. The sad thing is whether someone deserves a shot isn’t important to our head coach. AZ Cardinals History 101 – 2010.

The larger and more important question – how far can this team go without a star QB? Where would Green Bay be without Rogers? The Saints without Brees? Pats without Brady? Giants without Manning? Which teams made it to the playoffs without a dominant QB? Because, regardless of whether it’s Skelton, Kolb, or even Lindley, none of them are of the caliber of those other QB’s. That’s the reality. All we can hope for at this point, is that one of our QB’s will become effective and consistent enough to squeek out some wins while the brunt of the work is done by the Defense. Don’t hold your breath, but you might want to hold your nose.

Darren,
Does it feel a little weird that another QB battle appears to balance on another Raiders preseason game (a la Warner v. Leinart)? And who’s playing for the Raiders now? Eerie. Anyways, hope the result of that QB controversy has the same ending no matter the QB (trip to the Super Bowl).

John the Draft Guy-
You know the Patriots got their 15 yr QB in the 6th round, right? The Saints got theirs signing a QB with injury issues. We got ours signing a washed up has been and went to the Super Bowl. Getting a franchise QB is like hitting the lottery and we just suck at getting a winning ticket. I guess we could’ve not traded with San Diego in 1998 when can’t miss Ryan Leaf was on the board. Oops, nevermind. I’m just saying it’s not as easy as all these fans (including yourself) make it to be.

I completely agree with John the draft guy. at 1-6 we should of packed it in. I preached this to Darren, on sports radio, and on message boards. We could have had tannehill, RG3 or luck. The best thing with the new CBA is that if u dont hit on a QB with a first round pick it doesnt cripple your team. You have to take that chance though.

Arizona fans have never understood that the WORST place a team can be is hovering around .500. Either barely making the playoffs or barely missing them and drafting 13-15th. You should either be rebuilding looking for that special QB or have that special QB and competing for titles.

Flood,
Brady, Brees, Romo,are the exceptions, not the rules.
Most likely, 24 of the 30 teams will start a first rounder. 3 teams currently have very early second round QBs (Saints, Bengals, Cards) Thats 27 of 30.
So, as much as you want to bring up Brady, reality is you need to invest a first round pick for a QB.

As for the Chargers taking Leaf, it didnt stop them from taking brees as the 33rd pick and then again taking Manning/Rivers in 04. They weren’t scared to draft two of the games best since Leaf. At 66% success, I guess it isn’t like the lottery.

Seems to me that many of the teams find it easy to understand that without a franchise QB, it is hard to win. Look at what the skins gave up to get RG3.

Some fans (like you) think that a pick like Russell or Leaf means dont pick a QB. Since the cards have only picked 2 1st round QBs in 24 years and in that same time period have had 26 different starting QBs, and only 3 winning seasons,Its time to change those thoughts. If that doesnt open your eyes, I dont know what will.

It is a QB league, pick one. If he isnt the guy, pick another one till you get your guy. I would have rather suffered through Leaf to get Rivers instead of wallering in second rate QBs.

I agree with you on most of what you’re saying. The constant qb battle is getting old. Unfortunately that’s all this year is going to be and it’s really no fault of Whiz. Who was really his better option? He tried to get Peyton, but Peyton didn’t want to get killed every week because Whiz won’t let Grimm go. That in my opinion is his only mistake.

I’m not sold on Tannehill though just because he looked good against second stringe players. Let’s see how he does against his division this year before we say he was worth 2 first rounders.

Locker looks decent but again let’s see how he does against Houston then maybe? But I would rather have PP over locker any day…

Of course RG3, Newton or Luck would be great but the cards weren’t in a position to draft them. Next year our pick will have to be qb though FA backup qb’s never work and never have…

I can see why you added another writer though Darren. It looks like it’s going to be a long season…

Of course, in a vacuum the argument makes sense. Tank and get a Luck or RGIII. But this doesn’t work in a vacuum.

1) The Cards go 2-14, and every single person is calling for Whiz’s head. You’re not saying, ‘Oh, he’s doing it to get a QB. It’s all part of the plan.’ Why would Whiz want to do that?

2) Players could give a rat’s ass about getting that guy. So Skelton or Kolb are going to try and play worse? The defense? You play bad enough to had a terrible record, change comes. If players aren’t going to be here, why do they care about the future?

3) You are of course assuming that the QB you take ends up being that guy. The Cards did that with Leinart, and regardless of how it ended or whether it should have ended differently, I think everyone can agree he was never going to be a franchise guy.

Coaching changes effect things too. In Denny Greens west coast offense (Leinarts rookie year), he looked pretty good. But with a change in coaching and offensive styles, he no longer fit that offense.
Had Denny Green stayed, who knows what would have happened.

To give the cards credit, which is only fair, In 2006, they drafted Matt, who lost his job in 08 to Warner, who the cards resigned for 2 years only to have him leave after 1 year. We know in 2010, owners (especially the Bidwills), were waiting to see what happened with the CBA. In 2011, they traded for Kolb, thinking he was the answer. And as Louisville Card pointed out, in 2012, they did test the water with Manning. So there is an effort and I think the years of Kent Graham, Stoney Case and Stan gelbaugh are catching up with me.

Louisvilee Card;
I’m sold on Tannehill because I watched him play at Texas A and M. Going back to the 2011 draft, I posted many times to pass on the QB, take Bulger for 1 year and draft Tannehill in ’12.

Looking back at the PP pick vs Locker, that is tough. It is like Fitz vs Rivers or Big Ben in 04.
Remove the emotion of a card player and answer this, would you take Revis or Rodgers?
(no Darren, I’m not saying Locker is Rodgers and PP is Revis, but they could develop into those type of players)

You make valid points and I usually agree with most of your post’s, but Locker isn’t rodger’s. He might end up to be better than average but Superbowl caliber I seriously doubt. PP could end up being a polomalu game changing type player take loyalty out I still take PP over Locker…

What about a 7-6 record last year makes you so sold on Tannehill? Sure he looks good sometime’s but so does every other backup qb in the league consistency is his problem…he also could be good one day but Is he going to be Brady or even Luck or RG3 is seriously doubt it…

John the Draft Guy-
I never said don’t take a QB, but the points have already been made for me. Kolb was a high second rd like Brees and flashed good games in his spot duty behind McNabb. We drafted Leinart (I really wanted that to work, by the way). But why do we give Leinart a pass for switching systems but Kolb gets thrown from the cliff for leaving a West Coast system for Whiz’? Final note, if we draft Ryan Leaf, and he flakes out we don’t have Josh McCown to beat the Vikes moving us from #1 to #3 in the 2004 draft where we got, dang what’s his name. Oh yeah, Fitz (who went one pick ahead of Rivers so your scenario would not have Fitz as a Card, just saying).

Also, to anyone who says tank the season (not you John TDG) please go root for another team. Obviously not one coached by Herm Edwards though, because you PLAY TO WIN THE GAME!!! I know why some people aren’t professional athletes now (besides lack of talent like myself). They find the first opportunity to quit and complain how others should do it better. Unbelievable…

Most teams passed on Rodgers and most of us didn’t think Rodgers would be as good as he is.
Locker could be a bust or better than Rodgers. We will have to wait and see.

My point was, if you could take Revis, Demarcus Ware, or Joe Thomas or if you could take Rodgers, Who would you take?

Well, we dont know who is the next Rodgers, but most of the starting QBs are chosen in the first 37 picks. Its time to invest.

As for Tannehill, his athletism , intelligence, and arm strength have franchise qb written all over them.
But maybe Im looking at it with rose color glasses. My wife went to A&M and I coached in east Texas. So, I favor players in that region.

Have you ever been placed in a job or situation that you don’t fit in?

It is frustrating and shakes your confidence. Leinart was a terrible fit for his skills vs our offense. Maybe you are right, that Kolb is facing the same thing Leinart did.His confidence sure looks shaken and he seems he doesnt fit.

As for drafting Fitz, boy that would have been interesting if we took Rivers. Remember, SD took Manning and waited for NY to grab Rivers for the trade. What if we took Rivers? No trade. Maybe Brees stays in SD after Manning sits out till he gets traded. The saints end up moving to San Antonio or Los Angeles.(that was the talk till Brees brought the saints out of the rubble of Katrina) who knows what would have happened.

Knowing what we know now, it would be hard to go back and not take Fitz. But in reality, the cards were rotating QBs from Jeff Blake and Josh McCown, meaning they had no QB. They drafted Boldin and Johnson in 03, thinking they had the wrs, and then, grabbed another wr. This move could be the move that killed Denny Green.

Before everyone attacks me, I love Fitz and can’t imagine this team without him. But….

Agreed they do need to pick a QB this year depending on where they draft. It looks like pretty high though as much as I hate to say it. Or do you fix the line first? that will be the debate next draft…

I can also relate to the rose colored glasses. I thought Brohm from UofL would’ve been better than he turned out too now and look at him now…I’m just saying it’s awful early in the season to say they missed on a franchise qb they really didn’t have an option to pick one up other than Peyton.

Yeah Darren,
But that wouldn’t have messed up the draft and trade deal, Brees being released the next year, Saints moving and the earth spinning off its axis.

But, just maybe, Big Ben would have saved Dennys job and the steelers fire cohwer for never getting over the hump and Whiz never gets his chance.Not to mention an aging backup QB drifts off into the sunset, with no one talking Hall of fame.

Can you see why I love the draft. Entire careers are revolving around each pick.

It is interesting that the one time we don’t take a chance on a discarded QB and draft one (06) it turns out to be Drew Brees and Matt Leinart.